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“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” b. AS GOD’S GOOD PLAN TO MAKE US COMFORTERS [47:53]. This is only learned in the school of suffering. God does not comfort the comfortable, and the bitter cannot be comforters: they can only share complaints, which are infectious. It is a sin against God to hoard our blessings. 2. LET US LEARN FROM OUR AFFLICTIONS TO EMPATHIZE WITH THE AFFLICTIONS OF OTHERS [52:39]. We can seek out those who suffer pains we’ve suffered, but at the risk of neglecting others in pain. 3. BE QUICK TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE GRIEFS AND AFFLICTIONS OF OTHERS [54:16]. If we don’t, then we offer awkwardness instead of comfort. Even silent commiseration can be comforting (it was the best thing Job’s friends did for him). We must let them know that their struggle will become a matter of urgent prayer for us. 4. YOUR MINISTRY OF COMFORT TO AFFLICTED BRETHREN MINSTERS FRESH COMFORT TO YOUR OWN SOULS [57:46]. How do we talk of God’s goodness without taking joy in it? IN CONCLUSION, our only credential to be God’s comforters is to have received His comfort.
Ian Migala (10/20/2015)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” LESSON: Your suffering and your comfort from God as you look to Christ is not all about you. This means a few things practically. First, it helps us to see that our afflictions are purposeful. They have a good end. Second, it helps us to see that our comforts are also purposeful. They too have a good end. They don’t stop with us. Third, it helps us to see the great privilege and honor God bestows upon His comforters. Our suffering and comfort trains us to become ready comforters. 3. IF WE ARE TO COMFORT OTHER CHRISTIANS IN THEIR AFFLICTIONS, LET US IMITATE EXAMPLES WE FIND IN THE BIBLE [29:41]. a. With God’s sure promises. 1) Moses’ encouragement of Israel (Deut 3:22-23, 28). 2) Jonathan’s comfort of David (1 Sam 23:14-18). 3) Paul’s comfort of his shipmates (Acts 27:33-36). b. Christians comfort each other with clear instructions from the Scriptures (Acts 15:30-33). c. Christians comfort each other with the sober truth that afflictions are a necessary part of the Christian life (Acts 14:19-23). APPLICATIONS [45:46]. 1. LET US LEARN TO PROPERLY VIEW OUR AFFLICTIONS. a. AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S COMFORT. The happiest and most prosperous Christians are not free from trials. They are held up by God as much as every other Christian.
Ian Migala (10/20/2015)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Still considering III. THE GRACIOUS DESIGN FOR OUR COMFORTS, we continue with B. GOD COMFORTS US SO THAT WE MAY COMFORT OTHERS [starting at 8:26 of the audio]. God has called us to be comforting channels to our suffering brethren. This means at least three things: 1. WE MUST HAVE FIRST EXPERIENCED GOD’S COMFORT BEFORE WE CAN MINISTER HIS COMFORT TO OTHERS. 2 Cor 2:5-11 – The church was to comfort and forgive a repentant sinner. God also comforted the repentant church (2 Cor 7:6-7, 13). QUESTION: Since God calls His people to be comforters, what comfort from the Lord might you be keeping to yourself that you need to share with others? We are not to hoard our blessings. When we are saved, we become part of a body. 2. IF WE ARE TO COMFORT OTHERS, WE MUST LOOK BEYOND OUR AFFLICTIONS TO THE GRACIOUS PURPOSE GOD HAS IN OUR AFFLICTIONS [18:09]. We cannot see the God beyond our afflictions if we wallow in those afflictions. The school of Christ is a school of suffering; we must keep God’s greater purpose in mind. Christ is our great model. Heb 4:15-16 – Do we bring our afflictions to our great High Priest? Heb 2:18 – Christ lived a life of suffering and never sinned.
